- Thursday, March 06, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
The use of lotus, the flower which is the symbol of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the logo for the country’s G20 presidency beginning next month has been slammed by the opposition Indian National Congress which has accused the saffron party of prime minister Narendra Modi of promoting itself “shamelessly”.
Senior Congress parliamentarian Jairam Ramesh said Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister and a leader of the Congress, had rejected a similar move.
“Over 70 years ago, Nehru rejected the proposal to make Congress flag the flag of India. Now, BJP’s election symbol has become official logo for India’s presidency of G20! While shocking, we know by now that Mr.Modi & BJP won’t lose any opportunity to promote themselves shamelessly!” Ramesh tweeted.
Over 70 years ago, Nehru rejected the proposal to make Congress flag the flag of India. Now,BJP's election symbol has become official logo for India's presidency of G20! While shocking,we know by now that Mr.Modi & BJP won’t lose any opportunity to promote themselves shamelessly!
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 9, 2022
The BJP was not too late to retort. Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla hit back at the Congress saying lotus happens to be India’s national flower and the names of some of the Congress leaders, including former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, also meant lotus.
“Lotus happens to be our National Flower! It also happens to be the aasan of Maa Lakshmi – Are you opposed to our national flower? Will you remove Kamal from name of Kamal Nath? Btw Rajiv also means Kamal ! Hope you see no agenda there!!!” he tweeted.
On Tuesday (8), Modi unveiled the logo for India’s G20 presidency and said, “I congratulate countrymen on the historic occasion of India’s G20 presidency. ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) is the signature of India’s compassion for the world. The lotus portrays India’s cultural heritage and faith in bringing the world together,” PM Modi said.
“This G20 logo is not just a symbol, it is a message, an emotion running through our veins. It is a resolve, which is now being included in our thoughts,” he added.
The G20 summit will take place on November 15 and 16 in Bali, Indonesia, and Modi will be among the leaders attending it.
